Manu's injury

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

the time off wil let him recharge his batteries

[T Park]

Thank you for the backup TIMVP

[TMTTRIO]

Spurs: Injured finger to keep Ginobili benched for now

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.261ea7c.html

Web Posted: 12/23/2007 09:51 PM CST

Mike Monroe
Express-News staff writer

This time pestering isn't going to get Manu Ginobili back on the court for the Spurs.

Ginobili, the 6-foot-6 shooting guard whose 19.2 points per game makes him the team's No. 2 scorer, likely will miss Wednesday's game against the Chicago Bulls after re-spraining ligaments in his left index finger in Saturday's victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at the AT&T Center.

Ginobili first sprained the ligaments when he tried to break his fall after a collision with Portland's James Jones on Dec. 2. Though his left (shooting) hand was still swollen and sore, Ginobili managed to talk coach Gregg Popovich into letting him play against the Dallas Mavericks three days later.

Thirty-seven points and an important victory later, Popovich was convinced he had made the right decision.

But the soreness lingered longer than expected, and now, after Ginobili badly banged the same finger in the first quarter of Saturday's game, Popovich will have to be convinced before he lets Ginobili return. In between the coach's lines after a light practice session on Sunday morning was the implication Ginobili may miss more than just Wednesday's game against Chicago.
"He's probably going to miss a little bit of time," Popovich said. "It's just a matter of how much.

"They X-rayed it and there is nothing new, but he's got a bad hand. The ligaments are quite sore, and whatever happens to the ligaments has happened without tearing."

Asked if he will be more resistant if Ginobili appeals to suit up when Popovich prefers that he sit, Popovich sidestepped a definitive answer.

"Manu is a tough one," he said. "He's such a compe or, he wants to play. I'm just going to wait about two days and see how his hand reacts to the treatment they are giving him. We'll wait and see."

Ginobili's injury was countered somewhat by the return of Tony Parker. The Spurs' point guard had missed three games with a sprained left ankle. He was a little rusty on Saturday, but with Ginobili almost certain to be inactive Wednesday night, Parker believes added aggression will be a requirement.

"I think I'll be a little more aggressive and try to do a little more stuff," said Parker, who attributed his 6-for-17 shooting Saturday to his 11-day injury hiatus. "I'm just going to keep playing my game."

Popovich said Ime Udoka's 17-point, nine-rebound effort while filling Ginobili's minutes Saturday merits giving him more playing time Wednesday. Most of that will come in the first three periods.

Come crunch time, Parker and forward Tim Duncan will take on more of the Spurs' offensive focus.

"The fourth quarters change for us to some degree," Popovich said. "That's why it's good to have Tony back. He can make some things happen for us. We're going to go to Timmy, Tony or Manu in the fourth quarter, usually. So it takes some options away.

"During the meat of the game, it's just a little bit of a different mix on the floor. People are getting a chance to see how Ime plays, and he's figured out how they play. So it's probably a good thing in the end, as far as Ime getting acclimated to his team."

Elson healthier: Backup center Francisco Elson, who has missed two games with a sprained left mid-foot, participated in all of Sunday's practice, and played a spirited game of two-on-two after practice with Udoka, Matt Bonner and Robert Horry. He moved well on the sore foot, and Popovich said he will be a game-time decision Wednesday.

"He's starting to feel stronger," Popovich said. "But I'm anxious to see how he feels (this) morning, because this is really the first time he's done any active work."

No Grinch: Popovich scheduled another practice for this morning, but nothing for Christmas Day.

[roycrikside]

Actually, you should have researched.

Historically without Tim Duncan: 24-24

Historically without Tony Parker: 13-12

Historically without Manu Ginobili: 34-18

And no it's not because Parker > Ginobili. It's because Ginobili's backups have historically been much better than Parker's backups. Plus, in general, point guards are harder to replace than shooting guards. That's true on basically every team unless the shooting guard is their franchise player.

Those numbers don't tell the whole story. Check what the records are when one guy isn't playing but the other two are. I bet they're a lot closer to even. Also, don't start until 04'-05' because that's really when the team became the "big three."

[timvp]

Those numbers don't tell the whole story. Check what the records are when one guy isn't playing but the other two are. I bet they're a lot closer to even. Also, don't start until 04'-05' because that's really when the team became the "big three."

So by saying "Actually, until this year, Parker had been the easiest to replace, historically. The Spurs have won practically every game he's been out injured until this season." you actually meant in the last couple seasons with multiple restrictions on what games count toward the total?

[T Park]

Those numbers don't tell the whole story. Check what the records are when one guy isn't playing but the other two are. I bet they're a lot closer to even. Also, don't start until 04'-05' because that's really when the team became the "big three."

Man you want provisions and added on BS to think Im wrong?



Classic myopia.

[ArgSpursFan.]

Manu>Tony End of story.

[gamuza]

Sit him for a couple weeks.

You can live without Manu more than Parker or DUncan as evidenced tonight.

Toy only played the first quarter, after that he sucked badly against Clippers. Yes it’s evident you envy Eva. I bet you’re a fat old single chick with a nice beard.

[Freeze]

Also, don't start until 04'-05' because that's really when the team became the "big three."

Do you mean that before 2004-2005 Tony was more important to the Spurs than he is now ???


Anyway I'm sure Manu's finger will be healed soon, and we will all be proud to congratulate the fifth NBA champion banner (damn we will need one more to make it even with the retired jersey )

[anakha]

Those numbers don't tell the whole story. Check what the records are when one guy isn't playing but the other two are. I bet they're a lot closer to even. Also, don't start until 04'-05' because that's really when the team became the "big three."

at the backpedaling

[roycrikside]

Sit him for a couple weeks.

You can live without Manu more than Parker or DUncan as evidenced tonight.

Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuump.

I believe I called this loss last week. Like Ron Burgandy, Manu is "kind of a big deal."

[greens]

Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuump.

I believe I called this loss last week. Like Ron Burgandy, Manu is "kind of a big deal."

I didn't get to see the game, thankfully it seems...judging by reading about how horrible everyone played...And I heard that Pop got ejected...I did look up some stats for the game:

Toronto's bench outscored San Antonio's reserves, usually led by Ginobili, 41-15.

source:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap;_y...122824&prov=ap

In the first half, the Toronto bench had 20pts while the Spurs had 0pts...

I'd say the Spurs really missed Manu's points and spark especially.

[TMTTRIO]

Not that we can't win without him but anyone know the timetable that Manu may be back. It looked like he still had that hand wrapped up pretty good last night.

[greens]

Not that we can't win without him but anyone know the timetable that Manu may be back. It looked like he still had that hand wrapped up pretty good last night.

I would also like to know when Manu is going to play...I think perhaps in today's game vs the Knicks...But then again, Pop is very careful about injuries...

In the four games that Manu is out, the Spurs went 2-2...

I miss seeing the Big Three play together...Last time, they were all on the court at the same time was in November, I think...

[porscha]

kinda boring...........without manu

[jamanuel]

kinda boring...........without manu

Yeah, I agree. I rather read then. or then